BAHAWALNAGAR/MULTAN, Nov 18: More than 1,000 unidentified people were booked in Chishtian and Multan in the wake of Friday’s sectarian clashes.

In Chishtian, Bahawalnagar district, an FIR No 839/13 (Nov 15) under sections 295-A, 436, 148, 149 and 7-ATA was registered against 300 to 400 unidentified people for ransacking public property.

An FIR No.840/13 (Nov 16) under sections 353 (police encounter), 380, 436, 324, 186, 148, 149 and 7-ATA was registered against Malik Hafeezullah and his nine unidentified accomplices. The miscreants had set ablaze the ‘Najaf Dental Clinic’ and ‘Ghazi Medicine’ on Nov 16. The accused also pelted the police with stones. Both the FIRs were made public on Monday due to security concerns.

Bahawalnagar DPO Athar Ismail Amjad said: “The situation is completely under control in Chishtian. Miscreants will never be allowed to disrupt peace.”

He said ulema, traders and media should continue with their role to bring about peace in the district.

In Multan, Lohari Gate police lodged FIR No 453 under sections 324, 148, 149 and 7-ATA against 500 to 600 unidentified protesters of Sunni and 100 to 150 of Shia sects.

Daulat Gate police have registered FIR No 243 under sections 353, 186, 148, 149, 333-A-1 and 7-ATA against 12 unidentified miscreants.

Meanwhile, Multan Regional Police Officer Amin Wains said the people who disturbed the law and order situation in the city would not be spared. He said videos of miscreants were recorded through security cameras.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by Punjab Prisons Minister Chaudhry Abdul Waheed Arrain in the honour of representatives of various sects, religious scholars, members of peace committee and traders here on Monday, the RPO said he personally recognised the faces of miscreants and cases were registered against the people who tried to disturb peace.

He said police would fulfill its legal responsibilities in this regard.

Identifying the culprits and bringing them to book was not a big issue as he (RPO), the commissioner, DCO and city police officer were patrolling during firing.

He urged the ulema to avoid holding press conferences, saying that they should express their point of view at the forum of district peace committee.

He requested the ulema not to support the strike call given by Wifaqul Madaris on Friday.

Commissioner Syed Ali Murtaza said the city could not afford more riots and ulema should play their role to maintain peace in the city.

He said the riots claimed a life. “Deceased Waris was the lone child of the family. Although the government has announced compensation for the deceased and the injured, compensation is no alternative to human life. The administration recognises the miscreants so there is no need to constitute a commission in this regard.”

He said the administration avoided curfew and maintained law and order.

He said riots could have been curbed by use of force but there was risk to life and property of the people. “The army was not deployed in streets and Mohallahs and use of force was avoided.”

Federal Minister Haji Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Punjab Minister Chaudhry Waheed Arrain, DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal, Sahibzada Muhammad Ahmad Mian, Allama Hidayatullah Pasroori, Mufti Abdul Qavi and former provincial minister Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi also addressed the gathering.